Rivers LG Election: Wike’s Camp Shares Next Step after Loss in Controversial Poll, Details Emerge

• The PDP faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territiry (FCT), said it would not resort to violence
• The PDP members tackled Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers, insisting that 'no election was held' in the state on Saturday, October 5
• Legit.ng had reported how pro-Fubara politicians overwhelmingly won the 2024 local government elections in Rivers state

Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering politics and elections in Nigeria.

Port Harcourt, Rivers state - The Rivers Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members loyal to the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have described the state's local government election as an exercise in futility.

As reported by The Punch on Monday, October 7, the Rivers PDP members vowed to challenge the poll and its outcome in court.

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Wike's loyalists reject Rivers LG election outcome

The Wike camp said this as the Rivers governor, Siminalayi Fubara, swore in the newly elected council chairmen of the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.

Recall Governor Fubara on Sunday, October 6, in Port Harcourt, presided over the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected chairpersons of the 23 local government councils in the state.

The inauguration was observed by Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi state and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Fubara had recently directed his loyalists to defect to the Action Peoples Party (APP) to contest the election. The APP won 22 out of the 23 LG chairmanship seats.

The build-up to the Rivers LGA elections was trailed by controversy which was worsened by conflicting court orders and pushback from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP.

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On September 4, a high court in Rivers state held that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) could conduct the LGA elections using the 2023 voter register.

But on September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to RSIEC.

Despite the federal high court ruling and the withdrawal of security personnel, Fubara said the election would proceed as planned.

Speaking to The Punch after the election winners were sworn in, Kenneth Yowika, the spokesperson of the PDP in Rivers state, said the party would challenge the conduct of the poll in court.

Yowika said:

‘’We are pressing further through the courts to ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done. So, we do not agree nor do we recognise if any swearing-in is taking place."

Rivers crisis: Analyst sues for peace

Meanwhile, a political analyst, Segun Akinleye, explained that the political unrest in Rivers calls for concern.

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According to him, the crisis could worsen security in the state.

Akinleye said it is time for stakeholders to call for peace.

He told Legit.ng:

"Rivers, like every other Nigerian state, should be facing governance at this moment. Election has come and gone. It would be in the best interest of all the political rivals to sheathe their swords. 2027 is another time if you have scores to settle politically.

"The warring parties should give peace a chance because no development can take place in an atmosphere of chaos."

Rivers LG secretariat burnt

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that suspected hoodlums set ablaze a section of Eleme local government council secretariat in Rivers state.

Oji Ngofa, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, who hails from Eleme, confirmed the suspected arson.

Source: Legit.ng